You may already know that taking your child to visit their pediatric dentist for a standard checkup and cleaning every 6 months can help prevent common dental concerns, such as cavities and gum disease. But you must also help them keep their mouth clean between visits.
For instance, brushing and flossing twice daily helps remove plaque and bacteria that cause disease, decay, and bad breath. But plenty of kids avoid engaging in anything that feels like a chore, and dental hygiene is no exception. Continue reading to learn more about how praise might help encourage your child to clean their teeth!
Can Kids Develop Dental Issues?
Some parents mistakenly assume that their child’s mouth must be healthy if they haven’t noticed immediate issues. But the truth is that they might develop gum disease or cavities in areas that you can’t see, such as between their teeth, below their gumline, or behind any molars that have already erupted.
Others believe that cavities in baby teeth are insignificant because they eventually fall out anyway, but caries is contagious and can spread to the jawbone, affecting how their adult teeth develop even before they arrive.
Can Praise Help My Child Keep Their Teeth Clean?
As your child’s parent or guardian, it’s your responsibility to find ways to help them clean their mouth to protect their oral and overall well-being. But you’re not alone if you’re struggling to find the right motivation to engage them in their dental hygiene routine.
In one 2021 study published in Child Development, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania, Yale University, and the Santa Fe Institute analyzed the oral hygiene habits of 81 three-year-olds as they learned to brush and floss. They had parents include nightly videos and fill out surveys about their kid’s stress level, mood, and other factors and how that might affect their habits. They learned that children’s persistence fluctuates from day to day and is significantly affected by how their parents talk to them.
What Are Some Effective Ways to Praise My Child?
During this experiment, parents were encouraged to talk with their child as they cleaned their teeth, and it was discovered that kids brush for longer (and therefore remove more germs and plaque) on days when their caretakers used more praise and less instruction-based language.
But it’s worth noting that most parents in the study used generic praise and process with statements like “Great job!” or “Good work!” rather than personal-based praise, such as “Good girl!” or “Good boy!”, which could accidentally send the wrong message to a child. For instance, they might start to believe that their abilities and self-worth are being tested, and they might become anxious that they’ll “mess it up”.
If you’re looking for ways to encourage your child to improve their dental hygiene, using effective words of praise might help!
Meet the Author
Dr. Meghan Thorburn is a Board-Certified pediatric dentist who is passionate about helping kids build and maintain the happiest, healthiest versions of their still-developing smiles. She earned her dental degree and completed her residency at UT Houston, and today, is a member of several institutions, including the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Dental Association, and more. She offers a complete menu of services using state-of-the-art technology to meet even the most unique needs under one roof. If you’re concerned about your child’s dental health, you can request an appointment on the website or call (682) 327-1133.